An Elizabethton woman, Tara N. Hill, 32, is among 57 area individuals sentenced to a total of 304 years in federal prison in what law enforcement officers are calling a “methamphetamine conspiracy.”
A multi-agency investigation launched in 2010 after a drug investigation on Bill Jones Road in Washington County led officers to other areas in the region, including Elizabethton, Carter County, Sulphur Springs, Telford, Limestone, Jonesborough, Johnson City, Erwin and Unicoi County as well as areas in North Carolina.
The investigation led to the indictment, prosecution and conviction of 57 individuals in one methamphetamine manufacturing conspiracy involving multiple cells, Washington County Sheriff Ed Graybeal said. Additionally, more than 30 methamphetamine labs were discovered during the course of the investigation.
The last of the suspects in the conspiracy was sentenced in federal court earlier this month, Graybeal said.
Officers of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office worked with several area and federal agencies during the course of the investigation, Graybeal said, including Erwin Police Department, Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office, the First Judicial District Drug Task Force, Carter County Sheriff’s Office, Elizabethton Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson City Police Department, Kingsport Police Department, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“Inter-agency cooperation is a necessity in these types of investigations due to numerous individuals who cross county/state lines in order to procure meth lab precursors used in the manufacture of Methamphetamine,” Graybeal said.
The following list includes the individuals arrested, their original charges and final sentences. The original charges may not be the final charge pled to, as all listed defendants entered pleas of guilty rather than face a harsher sentence if found guilty at trial. Federal sentences have to be served at a rate of 85 percent. Several of the defendants had a criminal history prior to this investigation:
• Tara N. Hill, 32, 169 Lovers Lane, Elizabethton; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and 36 months on supervised release.
• Anthony W. Maupin, 39, 458 Cash Hollow Road, Johnson City; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine X2. Sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Cory T. Maupin, 26, 201 Rich Hollow Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine X2, Possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Sentenced to 84 months in federal prison and 36 months on supervised release.
• Gary G. Richardson, 37, 660 Cherokee Mountain Road, Jonesborough; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Felicia A. Hopson, 28, 210 Parsley St., #12, Unicoi; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 60 months on supervised release.
• Randall L. Sliger, 43, Headtown Road, Jonesborough; Initial Charges: Distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• David Jay Yates, 50, 112 Robert Smith Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Sentenced to 115 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Brandon R. Fender, 31, 130 McInturff Cemetary Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• David H. Vestal, 36, 212 Creek Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 100 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Robert L. Gillis, 41, 104 Cooper Lane, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and 60 months on supervised release.
• Jason R. Duncan, 36, 787 Bayless Road, Jonesborough; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 78 months in federal prison and 60 months on supervised release.
• Mark A. Gardner, 38, 137 Spring Brook Road, Unicoi; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Savannah J. Williams, 21, 408 N. Mohawk Drive, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 6 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Christy N. Clouse, 31, General Delivery, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 33 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Nathaniel J. Effler, 25, 313 Lee Ave., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 60 months on supervised release.
• Timothy F. Dunbar, 44, 900 Bumpass Cove Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 84 months in federal prison and 60 months on supervised release.
• Sandy M. Hodges, 45, 665 Princeton Road, Johnson City; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 54 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Kenneth D. McCravey, 41, 533 Washington St., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and 36 months on supervised release.
• Jeffery H. Higgins, 44, 948 Spivey Mountain Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, Possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Sentenced to 52 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Brenda R. English, 41, 112 Robert Smith Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Douglas G. Gaskin, 54, 1435 Love Station Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Sentenced to 54 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Misty D. Potter, 37, 296 Blaine White Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Sentenced to 66 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Timothy W. Smith, 30, 940 N. Elm Ave., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials which may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Sentenced to 92 months in federal prison and 60 months on supervised release.
• Crystal D. Williams, 41, 408 Mohawk Drive, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 90 months in federal prison and 60 months on supervised release.
• Angelia M. Robinson, 42, 24 Taylor Ridge Court, Johnson City; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Rachel M. Edwards, 27, General Delivery, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 51 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Christy R. McVay, 33, 514 Rock Creek Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Jason D. Vestal, age 25, 616 Monroe St., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 84 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Joshua R. Whitson, age 32, 107 Parsley St., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 96 months in federal prison and 60 months on supervised release.
• Carl “Daniel” Ray, age 35, 110 Jean Davis Lane, Unicoi; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Daniel R. Hopson, age 32, 210 Parsley St., #12, Unicoi; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Joseph B. Banner, age 36, 160 Masters St., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine X2. Sentenced to 170 months in federal prison and 96 months on supervised release.
• Jerry W. “Merd” Howell, age 47, 120 Deadrick St., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Brandon Beals, age 29, 800 Broyles St., #B4, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Possession of equipment, chemicals, products, and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. Sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and 36 months on supervised release.
• Ray Charles “Charlie” English, age 22, 499 Hickory Hollow Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Samuel “Mack” Sanders III, age 37, 221½ Dry Creek Road, Jonesborough; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Sentenced to 84 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Daniel “Scott” Smith, age 40, 112 Robert Smith Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Possession of equipment, chemicals, products, and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. Sentenced to 10 months in federal prison and 36 months on supervised release.
• Clinton C. Cooper, age 28, 1830 N. Main St., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Spencer J. Yates, age 37, 578 Old Embreeville Road, Jonesborough; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 33 months in federal prison and 36 months on supervised release.
• Brian S. Smith, age 41, 121 Scott Road, Johnson City; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Michael T. Smith, age 39, 154 Creek Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance, distribution of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Donnie L. Hensley, age 41, 944 N. Main St., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• David E. Gardner, age 53, 1159 Mountainview Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Robert C. Bennett, age 36, 353 Spice Hollow Road, Johnson City; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. Sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• George R. Thomas, age 31, 419 Walnut St.; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. Sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Timothy S. Franklin, age 37, 454 Hickory Hollow Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 51 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Stacy G. Black, age 44, 420 Walnut St., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance X2. Sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Jarrod A. Hicks, age 33, 135 Virgie Hicks Road, Unicoi; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. Sentenced to 51 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Autumn M. McKinney, age 28, 206 Gay Street, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 42 months in federal prison and 46 months on supervised release.
• Jeffrey R. Casey, age 36, 136 M Coffey Lane, Jonesborough; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance X2. Sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Lisa C. Effler, age 44, 620 Mill Creek Road, Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and 36 months on supervised release.
• Jason A. Briggs, age 35, 4575 Old Asheville Highway, Flag Pond; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and 36 months on supervised release.
• Darren L. “Pooh” Hensley, age 29, 208 Williams St., Erwin; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 75 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Richie J. Barnett, age 49, 911 Massachusetts Ave., Unicoi; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, manufacture of a quantity of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Ruth N. Barnett, age 45, 911 Massachusetts Ave., Unicoi; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, manufacture of a quantity of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Kyle A. White, 35, 1201 E. 8th Ave. #4, Johnson City; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of equipment, chemicals, products, and materials that would be used to manufacture a controlled substance, manufacture of a quantity of methamphetamine. Sentenced to 114 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.
• Dena V. Dugger, 30, 105 Hamilton St., Johnson City; Initial Charges: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Maintaining a place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using methamphetamine. Sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 48 months on supervised release.